DUI Checkpoint Planned this Weekend (02/15/13)

The Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Section will be conducting a DUI Checkpoint on Friday February 15, 2013, at an undisclosed location within the city limits, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent, when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted frequently.

Officers will be contacting drivers who pass through the checkpoint, for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers who are caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic collisions that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 3 lives and resulted in 62 injury crashes, harming 87 of our friends and neighbors,” said Police Chief Phillip L. Sanchez.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any other DUI enforcement strategy. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

“DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we have witnessed since 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety. “But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Pasadena needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that checkpoints provide.”

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Pasadena Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA reminds everyone to continue working together in bringing an end to these tragedies by calling 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers.